Means for moistening the air used in explosion-engines.



0. E. DIEHL. I S FDR MOISTENING THE AIR USED IN EXPLOSION ENGINES.

MEAN

APPLICATION FILED 00128, 1908.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914,

l/vii m-cooc o m4 QA HAWEW i 'an explosive engine cylinder with my moistoning device appliedfthereto. Fig. 2 is asTATs CHARLES E, DIEI-IL. or nns MQINES, IOWA.

' Specifieation'of Letters Patent. Patentgdlj 29 191@ Application filed October 28, 1908. Serial No. 459,930.

it may concern Be- 'tknown that 1, CHARLES" EQDIEHL, a e1t1zen of the United States, residing at Des Moines, in the county .of Polk and State of .310%, have invented certain new and usegful Improvements in Means for Moistening the Air Used in Explosion '-'Engines, of

which the followingis a specification.

' My invention has reference to means for moistening the air used in explosion engines, and its object is to secure a coiistant artificial moistening of the air as distinguished from the natural and variable moistening thereof. Thisis accomplished by providing means whereby natural moisture is eliminated and the proper definite quantity of moisture necessary for successful running of the engine is added to the dried air before it reaches the carbureter.

' ,In the drawings: Figurel is a sideview of cross section of the same on the line2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the cylinder and the moistening chamber. Fig. 4' is a perspective view of the moistening chamber broken away. F ig. 5isa transverse sectional view of a modified form of moistening chamber.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the, figures of the. drawings.

In-the drawings, 2 designates the cylinder of an explosive engine of any ordinary or desired character, and 3 a moistening chamber consisting .of a casing formed of four walls, open at the bottom but closed at the top bya perforated cover or plate 4, this plate being perforated forthe; inlet of air 6 designates a Water inlet pipe leading from any suitable source .of supply, as a tank-7. This pipe is. preferably provided with a regulating valve 8 of any desired character, which shall supply a definite quantity of -,w.ater to a sheet of fibrous material 9 which is supported within the casing While I have shown only one pipe 6 whereby the water may beconducted. from. the supply pipe to the fibrous sheet 9, I wish 7 it understood thatrl may use a plurality of pipes 6 opening into various port ons of the 'jchan ber-3, in order to moisten this fibrous for producing explosions.

T he purpose of conducting the moistenedv sheet over its entire surface so that every particle of air passing through the perforations in the casing will be obliged to pass over and through the moistened surface of the fiber.

Itwill be seen that the layer of fibrous or spongeous material 9 divides the chamber into two parts, an upper and a lower, and preferably I use a partition of wire network upon which the sheet or fiber is laid. This partition 10 may be made so as to be readily removable from the casing and to permit the introduction of fresh wicking or other fibrous layer if desired. The portion of the casing below the wicking or fibrous layer is connected by a conducting channel 11 to any suitable c'arbureter 12-. I do not Wish to be limited in this regard, but .1 have shown the cylinder 2 of the engine as being grooved or channeled, the grooves or channels extending around the cylinder from a point beneath the casing 3 to a point where the groove or channel connects with a conproportioned that the air passing through the moistening device wholly absorbs the water and. none drips through the porous sheet 9 inthe bottom of the casing. The advantage of this is that comparatively little water is required so that the device is especially adapted for automobile service without requiring a large storage tank for water lfwater should be supplied. in eX- cess of the capacity of the air to take up moisture, the pipe 14 would become flooded and form a trap which would render the engine inoperative, either by sucking water into the carbureter or by preventing the necessary quantity of air. to be drawn through the carbureter and into the engine air around" the cylinder is to heat the same prior to its introduction into the carburetor permit the passage and to morethoroughly vaporize thewater contained insuspension in the air. In the carbureter of course the moistened air is mixed with the proper quantity of hydrocarbon to form the usual explosive mixture. I may of course use any form of carburetor and the carbureter and itsconnection to the enginesdo not form any part of my present invention. I do not wishto be limited to the form in which the fibrous material is applied within the casing or to the material itself. I preferably use wicking supported on copper gauze but I may use a spongeous material or arelatively stiff porous material, such as porous terra-cotta. Any maizrial which will allow water to be readily distributed throughout its mass, and which will of air and the taking up of this moisture by the air, is within the terms of my invention. Asa means for readily removing the fiber within the casing, Ijhave shown the cover of the casing as hinged thereto, but I do not wish to be limited to the exact form shown as theform of the moistening chamber might be varied in many ways.

In Fig. 5, 'I show another form of my device, in which my process is carried a step farther than in the form previously ,described. The object of this device is to entirely' eliminate 'the natural moisture contained in the air, to dehydrate the air, and

then to supply a' definite content of moisture to the air previous to its-introduction into the carbureter. moistening chamber in two portions, in one of which any suitable dehydrating material, such as chlorid of calcium or calcium oxid is supported. The air is directed across or through these then after having. entirely eliminated, is brought into the second chamber and there passed through -moistened fiber as previously described and conducted to the carbureter.

In Fig. 5, l5 designates the casing of my device which is'in the same form but somewhat larger than the casing shown in Fig. 4. It is transversely of the moistening fiber 18. The chamber-19, formed by dividing the casing by the partition 16, is the deh drating chamber and contains a series of trays 20 formed prefer ably of coppergauze on-which is supported any suitable compound .or. material which has an aflinity for water, absorb the moisture from the air.- I do not to the exact materials used, though I have. indicated chlorid of calcium or calcium'oxid. The chamber 19 is providedwith a series of air inlet openings 21 and'with a baffle plate 22 whereby the air is forced To this end I 'Iorm my dehydrating materials, and had its natural moisture divided by apartition' which is perforated as, at 17 above the line and which will downward and into contact with all the series of screens and all of the dehydrating material.

dehydrating material, the air moistening chamber of the casing through the opening 17. This portion of the casing is precisely similar to that previously described, and contains the perforated supporting tray or partition 23 supporting the wicking .or other porous layer 18. A water tube 25 is provided with a controlling valve 26, and a conducting channel 27 leads from the space below the moistening fiber to any desired carbu'reter, preferably in its passage passing around the engine cylinder so as to heat the moistened air. 1 have found in practice-that supplying moisture at all times artificially to the air tained by the elimination of all natural.

moisture and then the addition of just the proper amount ofmoisture needed for-perfect operation. By this further step of my method, I do awaywith all variable or accidental factors. There is never any accidental chance of getting too much or too little moisture, butthe said machine will attain maximum of efficiency under all weather conditions whether the exterior air is. saturated with moisture or 'whether it is extremely dry.

While I have shown a form of-device which is exceedingly simple, which may be easily applied to any engine cylinder, and which is thoroughly effective in actual practire, I. do not wish to belimited to the peculiar construction shown nor to the arrangerelation to the engine. It I my method is in line with the best practices in other arts, in that it substitutes for anatural and variable factor. an artificial and definite factor always undercontrol to give the best results. I

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

. 1'. The combination in an internal combustion enginehaving an air supply, a fuel supply, and a mixing chamber therefor, ofmeans arranged intermediate the air supply and the mixing chamber to humidify 1 the air to a predetermined 'degree of satura-. tion comprising a dehydrating device and a humidifyiiig device interposed successively inthe path of the air to a point of. admixture with the'fuel, saiddevices mountment of. parts in will be seen that the efficiency of theengine, with an air of humidity in the atmos- After ,passing the enters the mea s 'ed in close juxtaposition to the cylinder and heated thereby.

ration and comprising casing fitted to the cylinder and having a chamber through which the air passes, trays in said chamber supporting a dehydrating material, a chamber throughwhich the air passes from-the dehydrating chamber and containing a porous material, means for supplying Water to the porous material, and means for conducting the air after its passage through the Wet porous material to the mixing chamher for admixture with the fuel.

3. The combination with a cylinder and carburetor of an explosive engine, of an air moistening device therefor comprising a casing fitting around. and over the cylinder, said casinphaving therein a. transve e tition parallel with the cylinder and formed of porous material, said casing above the partition being provided With air openings and with means for constantly supplying moisture to the porous partition, the 033111,! below the porous partition b'emg connected.

.to said carbureter.

at. The combination with the cylinder and the carbureter of an explosion chamber, of -an air moisteningdevice therefor comprising a casing; littingagainst the cylinder and having end and sidewalls, a cover r'orniingthe-top ofithe casing and perforated for the admission of air, a partition dividing; the casing and substantially parallel with the bottom thereof, said partition being formed of porous material, a Water pipe entering the top of the casing; to supply water to the porous partition, and a conduit between the bottom. of the casing and the carbureter.

5. An explosion engine provided with a carburetor adapted to contain a fuel supply,

and. means for supplying-air to said carbureter in contact \vitlrthefuel therein including'a casing provided with an'interior porous'partition dividing the easing into tWo chambers, the chamber on one side of the partition'beingin heat receiving rela-' tionto the engine and the chamber on the other side of the, partition being in communioation with the atmosphere, means for supplying Water to the porous partition in determinate quantities, and air conveying connections through the carburetor from that chamber Which is in heat receiving re- 'lation to the engine.

6. The combination with a cylinder and carbureter ot-an explosive engine, of areasing secured to the cylinder,- said casing bein'g open at the bottom in contact with the cylinder alls, and having therein a part1- tion formed of porous material arranged substantially parallel to the bottom of thecasing and dividing; the easing into two pertions, means for supplying moisture to the porous partition, and a conduit leading fromthe casing below the partition, extending around the cylinder and thence extendins, to said carburetor.

2" The combination of an explosive engine, and a carburetor from vvhich a vapor charge of air and hydro-carbon is'drawn into the cylinder during the suction stroke, with adevice for moistening the air supplied to the carburetor, said device comprising a casing open at one portion and arranged on the cylinder to close the said open. portion by the latter, a porous partition dividing'the easing into separate air compartments, means for admitting atmospheric air to one of the compartments, means forconnecting the other compartmen snppl ins; Water to the partition at such a rate as to be absorbed by the air passing; thr ugh the partition fast as the Water y is supplied to the latter 8. The combination of an explosive engine, a carbureter connected therewith, an air moistening device, means for connecting; the device with the carburetor to cause air tobe drawn successively through the device and carbureter by the suction ofthe engine, means for positivelyheating the moistened air before reaching the carburetor, and means for supplying Water to the device continuously and in such a quantit-y as to be Wholly evaporated and. absorbed by the air previous to its contact with the hydro-carbon in the carburetor.

9. The combination of an explosiveengine, with a carburetor, and an air moistening and heating device so connected with the carburetor that air is drawn through the device before admixture with the hydro? carbon in the carburetor by the suction of the engine and fitted directly to the engine whereby the heat from the engine preheats the moistened air before its admission to the carburetor. I

16.. l he combination with a cylinder and a carburetor of an explosive engine, of a casing" fitted to the cylinder, a conduit leading from the casing to the carburetor, means for admittingair to the casing, means for dehydrating the admitted air, and means for subsequentlysupplying; moisture to the air before its admixture with the hydro carbon in the carbureter.

11, The combination With a cylinder and a carburetor of an-explosive engine, of a easinp; fitted to the cylinder, a conduit leadingfrom the casing-around the cylinder to with the carburetor, and means for i re the carbureter, means for almifiing air to In testimony whereof I aflix my signature the casmg, means for dehydratmg the adin presence of two Witnesses.

nitted air, and means for subsequentlysup- CHAS. E. DIEHL. plying moistureto the air before its admix- Witnesses:

5 ture with the hydro-carbon in the czucbu- DAVlD R. WAGNER,

- Peter. MARY A. VIRNSTEIN. 

